Jarrod Parker News

David Murphy and Adrian Beltre slugged first- inning homers to back a solid performance from Ross Wolf, and Texas clipped Oakland, 3-1, in the finale of a three-game set.

If there was a game the A's were meant to lose in their three-game series against the Rangers, it was Tuesday's. Yu Darvish vs.

Jarrod Parker settled down after giving up three first-inning runs on a pair of homers but the A's squandered numerous scoring opportunities in a 3-1 defeat to the Texas Rangers Wednesday.

The 30-year-old, who has 25 big league appearances but none in a starting role, will face the Athletics, who have won five straight games and are going for a series sweep of the Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.

It's happened twice now, two nights in a row, and the Royals shouldn't require further proof: While their rotation is much improved over recent seasons, one run isn't often going to be enough.

If there is a game plan to minimize the impact of losing opening day starting pitcher Brett Anderson for an indefinite time thanks to a stress fracture in his right foot, the A's used it as the outline for their 2-1 win over Kansas City on Friday night.

The suddenly reeling Athletics will look to get back on track in Friday's series opener against the Royals, though it won't be an easy task against Royals ace James Shields.

Coco Crisp returns to the A's outfield today, as expected, after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list this morning.

Derek Norris hasn't done much at the plate recently to warrant much attention, but his defensive doings are drawing plenty praise.

Sandy Alomar is keeping a low-key profile as bench coach for Tribe manager Terry Francona.

The A's have been looking for someone to step up and get them out of a five-game losing streak.

For Raul Ibanez, it seems like less has been more when it comes to having success at the plate this season.

A pair of young starters will duke it out Saturday when Jarrod Parker and the Oakland Athletics take on rookie Brandon Maurer and the Seattle Mariners.

He'll be pitching on 10 days' rest after having his spot skipped in the rotation.

Not overlooking tonight's series opener between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's, which will send Dan Straily to the hill to face off against Hisashi Iwakuma, but the more interesting game of the series could turn into the match-up on Saturday.

Despite having an overall winning record of 18-17, the A's are actually just 7-16 against teams not named the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Angels and are struggling against the bulk of their American League counterparts.

The decision to bring up first baseman Daric Barton from Triple-A underscores just how severely Oakland has been affected by injuries this season.

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An early Drumbeat today to provide some links to coverage in today's Chronicle, including the fact that 2011 top pick Sonny Gray would be the A's choic e to fill in for Jarrod Parker if that neck issue lands Parker on the DL.

Oakland Athletics' Derek Norris rects after being called out on strikes in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Monday, May 6, 2013, in Cleveland.